FastFritz(Frank) has me thinking about options for speeding up my 55 times. I'm running a Dana 44 with 331 gears and I'll be swapping out the DG200 automatic for a DG250. Were 371 gears available in 55? When did the TT become available? I should be asking Dwain, I guess, or Phil Harris. I don't want to go too tall unless I plan to trailer it. I don't want to crank the valve train down too much...unless I trailer it. May be I should get a trailer (lol).
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Dave Warren (Perry Mason by day, Perry Como by night) -
Twin Traction was available on 56 trucks, and graduated to cars by 57. Not available in 55. Packard was the first car manufacturer to offer it in 56. What rear ratio are you using now? 3.54 should be a good all around ratio. If just around town a 3.92 would be really fun, but would limit any use on the highway to short trips. I don't know when the 3.73 was first offered.Bez Auto Alchemy
573-318-8948
http://bezautoalchemy.com
"Don't believe every internet quote" Abe Lincoln -
I'm still using the factory 3.31. 3.73 would give me a better hole shot if it was legal (available in 55). Thanks for the TT info.Dave Warren (Perry Mason by day, Perry Como by night)Comment
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IIRC, a 3.54:1 would be the standard/default ratio for a V8 with the DG AT. I would go with that ratio for all around use.
I assume that you mean a DG250M.
As stated, there was no TT in cars until 1957. Would it still be acceptable for the drags that you want to enter? If so, I believe that it would be a big help.Gary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longerComment
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Cool. 3.54 would still be drivable. Anybody coming to South Bend with a set of gears? Car has three feet of snow on the 17 layer car cover, but I'm starting to warm up
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Dave Warren (Perry Mason by day, Perry Como by night)Comment
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I had an all origional 55 President Hard Top with AT and it was the 3:54 rear,and it went along nicely on the highways
Originally posted by studegary View PostJoseph R. ZeigerComment
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Dave
I'd ask the PSMCD folks about TT. They try to keep the muscle car spirit of competition and TT would be available to most other entrants, so they may allow it. I know rear end ratios can be any ratio.
BobComment
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I can also confirm that the '55's were available with open rear Dana 44 3.73's, as I have one in the back of my '55 Commander hardtop! This vehicle was originally a 259/3 speed with OD. As an interesting sidenote, the rear end also has a drain plug underneath, so changing fluid is alot less of a hassle!
1964 Studebaker Commander R2 clone
1963 Studebaker Daytona Hardtop with no engine or transmission
1950 Studebaker 2R5 w/170 six cylinder and 3spd OD
1955 Studebaker Commander Hardtop w/289 and 3spd OD and Megasquirt port fuel injection(among other things)Comment
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I second that....A '55 Commander or President equipped with automatic transmission came standard with a 3.54 rear end gear ratio...a nice all around ratio.. I do not believe a 3.73 ratio was offered as an optional ratio in '55.Originally posted by 63t-cab View PostI had an all origional 55 President Hard Top with AT and it was the 3:54 rear,and it went along nicely on the highwaysComment
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The rear end was most likely replaced at some point in Your car's life, as the standard factory ratio for a '55 V8 with O/D would be 4.27. I don't believe the 3.73 ratio You mention here was even offered for the '55 V8's!Originally posted by PlainBrownR2 View PostI can also confirm that the '55's were available with open rear Dana 44 3.73's, as I have one in the back of my '55 Commander hardtop! This vehicle was originally a 259/3 speed with OD. As an interesting sidenote, the rear end also has a drain plug underneath, so changing fluid is alot less of a hassle!Comment
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No. We have known about this vehicle since it was purchased new. It was never replaced. It is also listed in the '55 Chassis catalog(which between that, and the interpretation of the dealer's literature, I use VERY loosely), where if you had a 16G8, with a 259 regular STD, or STD w/OD, was available with a 3.92, 3.73, or 3.54. I also forgot, the 3.73 rear axle assembly is listed as part number 537550.
1964 Studebaker Commander R2 clone
1963 Studebaker Daytona Hardtop with no engine or transmission
1950 Studebaker 2R5 w/170 six cylinder and 3spd OD
1955 Studebaker Commander Hardtop w/289 and 3spd OD and Megasquirt port fuel injection(among other things)Comment
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Okay Plain Brown.....I stand corrected!Originally posted by PlainBrownR2 View PostNo. We have known about this vehicle since it was purchased new. It was never replaced. It is also listed in the '55 Chassis catalog(which between that, and the interpretation of the dealer's literature, I use VERY loosely), where if you had a 16G8, with a 259 regular STD, or STD w/OD, was available with a 3.92, 3.73, or 3.54. I also forgot, the 3.73 rear axle assembly is listed as part number 537550.
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I was guessing wrong in My head too,always thought the 3:73 was introduced around 1960
Originally posted by SN-60 View PostOkay Plain Brown.....I stand corrected!Joseph R. ZeigerComment
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Well, long as we're on the subject of the 3.73, the truck Chassis catalog lists them for the 1955 E7's too. If you look through the Chassis catalogs from those years, you had a wide range of options when it came to rear ends, and what was ordered with the vehicle might have been needed for the environment that it was going to be driving in. If you were say, living in the Ozarks, you didn't want a weenie little 3.73, it was too high. Instead, you might order a 4.56, because the terrain was so hilly!1964 Studebaker Commander R2 clone
1963 Studebaker Daytona Hardtop with no engine or transmission
1950 Studebaker 2R5 w/170 six cylinder and 3spd OD
1955 Studebaker Commander Hardtop w/289 and 3spd OD and Megasquirt port fuel injection(among other things)Comment
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The 3.92 was the best ratio offered with OD.Bez Auto Alchemy
573-318-8948
http://bezautoalchemy.com
"Don't believe every internet quote" Abe LincolnComment
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